Time to vote! Here’s how to do your research quickly and easily!

The time to vote is here.

Do you have a voting plan in place?

The midterms this are are anticipated to have a record-breaking turnout–which means that there could be a LOT of close races–every vote counts!

It’s easy to think that midterm elections aren’t as important, but they are. Especially if you haven’t been happy with the current situation in the US. This is your BIGGEST chance to do something about it!

Long story short, midterm elections have the ability to change the balance of power in the House (all seats are up for grabs as they serve two year terms) and Senate (thirty five are up for re-election as senators serve six year terms). This can in turn, have a HUGE impact on the laws that get passed in this country. This is why it’s so important to do your research and elect officials who can represent your own values in Washington!

I’ll be the first to admit, I never voted, or even registered to vote, until the 2016 elections (at the age of 29).

I never cared enough. Honestly, I was too busy–politics was too boring. “I don’t know enough to make an informed decision” I would say. It was impossible to escape the 2008 election on campus when I was in college, I even watched the debates, but I didn’t want to stand in line to vote. “I’m one person–I don’t matter. Why waste my time?”

I’m telling you this because I KNOW that it’s a pain in the ass. I know that politics sucks. It’s boring, it’s confusing, and most of all–it’s insanely frustrating. If you want to change the channel when the news comes on and you’d much rather watch The Today Show than CNN, I don’t blame you!

As Millennials, we are anticipated to overtake baby boomers to be the largest living generation in America–making us the largest majority of voters for the first time EVER. That is a powerful thing. (Source)

However, what saddened me was to read statistics that among our massive group, only 30% of the 18.4 million millennial women in America said they will “definitely” vote in November.

We need to change that statistic. We need to do better.

With so many amazing resources out there, it’s a LOT easier to get informed than it used to be!

Here are some really easy ways to educate yourself on the issues and get yourself to the polls!

First, if you need a refresher, you can head to The Skimm for your ballot cheat sheet–this breaks down what you’ll be voting on in a straightforward, non-boring way that normal people can actually understand.

Second, now that you know what you’re voting on, head to Ballotready.org to do your research on each candidate and see where they stand on the issues that are important to you! Then, use their website to find your polling place!

Third, find a time to head to the polls and put it on your calendar. If you have to take off work, discuss this with your boss in advance and pick a time to vote that works best for your team’s schedule. You don’t want to run into a situation where you something comes up and you don’t make it!

Do it for you, me, your loved ones, our future kids, and so many others who fought for us to exercise this right!

Yes!!!! This is so important… My husband never votes. We watch Colbert together, we discuss what’s going on, we debate, mostly we agree…but he hates voting. I convinced him to do it this year, and he ended up voting early. He beat me to it! Our 16-year/old daughter is dying to vote, so she and everyone else who is motivated but not of age is a great reason to vote as well.